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Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Subject to availability.Prices and room type subject to availability. Please contact the program provider, Holbrook Travel, at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com for assistance with reservations and rates.

Day One: Wednesday, January 09 - Arrival to San José

Arrive To: Arrive in San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. Participants on the Road Scholar group flights should use the exit door on the right. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign.

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

If possible, participants should try to arrange flights that arrive in San José in the afternoon. Doing this will allow participants to get a full night's sleep in preparation for the next day's activities.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Subject to availability.Prices and room type subject to availability. Please contact the program provider, Holbrook Travel, at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com for assistance with reservations and rates.

Day Two: Thursday, January 10 - Hiking in Poas Volcano National Park/Coffee Plant...

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to Poas Volcano National Park. The program orientation will take place en route.

Walk on trails in the Poas National Park, the oldest designated National Park in Costa Rica. View the world’s largest active crater and a crater lake while encountering four different habitats, including a tropical forest.

The Poás Volcano, is an active stratovolcano in central Costa Rica which has erupted 39 times since 1828. Poás volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and clouds part you'll see the sulfuric, bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Water from the lake is constantly seeping through cracks in the hot rock, evaporating and building pockets of steam. When the pressure in these pockets exceeds the weight of the water above, the steam breaks through in geysers that rocket up to 820 feet (250 meters) high. Don't worry about getting a shower though, the crater is 1,050 feet (320 meters) deep. At almost a mile (1.6 km) across it's also the largest active crater in the world. The most recent period of eruptive activity ended in 1954. The last major activity was in 1910 when nearly a million tons of ash was ejected along with an immense column of smoke and steam.

Lunch: Lunch at a typical rural restaurant.

Afternoon: Enjoy the clean, crisp air at a coffee plantation perched on the slopes of the Central Valley. Walk between the rows of the coffee bushes in a symbolic coffee picking exercise and sample the freshly ground coffee - after exploring the plantation.

During your visit experience first-hand the production, harvesting, processes of the plant and roasting of the bean. The program begins in the seedbed. There you will observe the development processing of the plant. Also learn about the history of the estate, its owners, the production and varieties of plants, the geography of the area and the traditional ways of cultivating the grain.

Description: The rainforest is an unforgettable experience at this riverfront lodge located five minutes by boat from Tortuguero National Park. Rooms have high ceilings, large windows and are decorated with exotic bamboo furniture and local artwork.

Facility amenities: Pool, restaurant and bar. No laundry services are available at this lodge.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Three: Friday, January 11 - Boat Transfer to Tortuguero/Walking in Tortuguero...

Breakfast: Breakfast en route.

Morning: Leave San José and travel in a northeasterly direction towards the Caribbean lowlands. Board a covered motorboat at the dock and begin your river transfer to Tortuguero. This approximately 2-hour river journey offers a great opportunity to view riverine wildlife and local communities.

Arrive at the lodge and check-in.

Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.

Afternoon: Afternoon paddle to Tortuguero Village.

The sleepy little coastal village of Tortuguero is situated on the southern end of a 6-km-long sandspit that is sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea to the East and the Laguna del Tortuguero to the West. The region is known for its network of canals and waterways and luxuriant forests that are home to a variety of exotic wildlife and is an important sea turtle nesting site. Paddle across the canal to the village and then visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy to learn about sea turtle conservation efforts in this region. Continue with a walking exploration of the small village.

Description: The rainforest is an unforgettable experience at this riverfront lodge located five minutes by boat from Tortuguero National Park. Rooms have high ceilings, large windows and are decorated with exotic bamboo furniture and local artwork.

Facility amenities: Pool, restaurant and bar. No laundry services are available at this lodge.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Four: Saturday, January 12 - Tortuguero -
Paddling on the Rio Frio/Hikin...

Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge.

Morning: Silently paddle along the waterways of Tortuguero, optimizing the opportunity to view the wildlife in their natural habitat with minimum disturbance to the environment.

Explore the gallery forest along the edge of Tortuguero National Park in search birds, monkeys, and lizards. This area is also home to an abundance of underwater wildlife including fresh water sharks, caimans and hundreds of amphibians and reptiles.

Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.

Afternoon: Afternoon hike on local nature trails. In addition to enjoying some good outdoor exercise, take the opportunity to search for local birds, monkeys and other wildlife that inhabit this region.

Description: Nature Lodge built along the banks of the Sarapiqui River. Room modules are built on elevated platforms, surrounded by tropical vegetation. A large tract of private primary and secondary rainforest is accessible via a hanging bridge.

Morning: Transfer by motorized boat and bus from Tortuguero to Sarapiqui in the Chilamate Valley.

Sarapiquí is one of the richest sites for birds in Middle America with well over 400 recorded species. The Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve, La Selva Protection Zone and the Braulio Carrillo National Park form the only significant corridor of forest on the Caribbean slope linking the highlands with the lowlands - a corridor crucial to birds and animals that undertake seasonal altitudinal migrations and part of the larger Mesoamerican Biological Corridor stretching from Mexico through most of Central America.

Arrive to Selva Verde Lodge and check-in.

Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.

Afternoon: This afternoon, visit a local plantation for an up-close look at local agricultural practices. Study the environmental and economic impacts of agriculture in the region and examine sustainable initiatives.

Return to the lodge.

Dinner: Dinner at the lodge.

Evening: Latin dancing is recognized as an exemplary form of cardio exercise. Laugh, dance and socialize while learning the basics during a Latin dance class.

Description: Nature Lodge built along the banks of the Sarapiqui River. Room modules are built on elevated platforms, surrounded by tropical vegetation. A large tract of private primary and secondary rainforest is accessible via a hanging bridge.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Six: Monday, January 14 - Sarapiqui -
Hiking in the Rainforest/White ...

Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge.

Morning: The main purpose of our morning hike into the heart of the rainforest is to pay homage to El Ganador, a giant almond tree that towers above the canopy. What life secrets would you ask a 600 year old tree that is still standing strong?

El Ganador was already a mature tree when the Spanish came to the Americas in the late 1400s. This enormous tree stands 54 meters (177 feet) high and 14 meters (46 feet) in circumference and in 2007 was recognized as a natural and national treasure of Costa Rica. It won the 2007 Exceptional Tree award from INBio Park, the National Institute for biodiversity in Costa Rica. Almendro trees, or Dipteryx panamensis, are considered guardians of the tropical rainforest and a symbol for the region. They are also a critical part of the endangered Great Green Macaw’s habitat. This award-winning tree should live for another 100 to 200 years.

Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.

Afternoon: Afternoon white water rafting on Class I and Class II rapids.

Winding through the region of the "Eternal Spring," the Sarapiquí River offers some of Costa Rica's most enjoyable white water river rafting amidst lush and vibrant scenery. The free-flowing river has its origins in clear mountain streams that tumble down through thick rain forest to merge with the crystal waters of the beautiful Sarapiquí. Verdant forest reaches right up to the river's sun-basked banks. This narrow waterway is ideal for white water novices, whom will enjoy its moderately flowing rapids, interspersed with tranquil stretches. The journey is also excellent for bird-watchers and other nature lovers. The river stretches its way through lush vegetation that is home to hummingbirds, toucans, woodpeckers and scores of other native bird species.

Description: Tropical rainforest and beach resort located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Part of the 750 acres is a nature reserve boasting 250 species of birds, a variety of monkeys, sloths, armadillos and a macaw breeding project.

Morning: Transfer from the Caribbean lowland to Herradura to participate in an energizing zipline canopy adventure.

The Vista Los Suenos Canopy is located in Herradura, next to Jaco Beach on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Experience breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean during this zipline adventure through the forest canopy set on approximately 222 acres of lushly forested lands. Approximately 50% of the area is made up of transitional forest--a blend of dry forest and rainforest habitats.

Continue with transfer to the Punta Leona area.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: Arrival at Punta Leona, a resort incorporating coastal jungle and two beaches - jewels along this Pacific coastline.

Orientation to the resort, followed by free time to take a stroll on the beach or enjoy the swimming pools.

Description: Tropical rainforest and beach resort located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Part of the 750 acres is a nature reserve boasting 250 species of birds, a variety of monkeys, sloths, armadillos and a macaw breeding project.

The Tarcoles river basin is one of the most important in the Pacific coastal region virtually draining the entire western side of the Central Valley. Tarcoles hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife along its banks and on the extensive mangrove areas near its estuary. Perhaps the most famous of all its inhabitants are the enormous crocodiles that live on its banks. These crocodiles (Crocodilus acutus) have been studied by numerous local and foreign specialists and featured in TV specials, including several of National Geographic Bray Barr's reptile Wild.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: Time at leisure to enjoy the beach, private reserve, pools, and to take advantage of services provided by the resort.

The Hotel Punta Leona is a 750 acres beach resort and wildlife reserve inhabited by hundreds of indigenous flora and fauna species. What really makes Punta Leona a special place is its waterfront location with two beach options to choose from, one with white sand and the other with gray sand both with crystal clear Pacific water. They are also the only beaches in Costa Rica with 3 Blue Flags & Triple A Rating for their outstanding water quality, cleanliness and level of safety for swimmers.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant where your choice of evening meal comes directly from the sea via the kitchen to your plate.

Description: Tropical rainforest and beach resort located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Part of the 750 acres is a nature reserve boasting 250 species of birds, a variety of monkeys, sloths, armadillos and a macaw breeding project.

Morning: Transfer to the small coastal village of Agujas for a sea kayak and outrigger canoe paddling adventure.

Kayaks and canoes have been plying the oceans of the world for centuries. They were created as tools for survival and travel. Their design remains basically unchanged after generations of refinement. Their beauty lies in their simplicity and functionality. The canoes are now built of fiberglass and they have been working well for us for years, we use an outrigger on each side to ensure safety and give peace of mind to our clients. When you put that paddle in the water, think of the ancient traditions, and knowledge and skill that went into the canoe and it will make your experience with us even more enjoyable.

Return to the hotel.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.

Description: The Wyndham San José Herradura Hotel and Convention Center has 229 spacious rooms with modern conveniences and a long list of amenities that are meant to accommodate business travelers as well as vacationing families. It is conveniently located a short distance from San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport.
The hotel has earned a Level 3 Certification for Sustainable Tourism by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights after: Prices subject to availabilityRates and room types are subject to availability. Please contact your program provider at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com if you need assistance with booking additional hotel nights.

Check out time: 11:00 AM

Day Ten: Friday, January 18 - Return to San José -
Spa Treatments/Farewel...

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to San José.

Lunch: Lunch at en route at local restaurant.

Afternoon: Arrive in San José.

Afternoon transfer to a spa facility. As part of this program's final energizing activity, participants will receive neck, back, and shoulder massages in addition to enjoying a relaxing steam treatment in the spa's Arabic Hammam.

Depart From: Transfer to the Juan Santamaria International Airport for flight to U.S.

Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel (dependent on flight times).

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities

Tortuguero

Beach walk, kayak canals, boat ride, fish, hike to Tortuguero Hill, or take a canopy tour.The beach walk is famed as the nesting site of the largest population of sea turtles in the Caribbean. The turtles lay their eggs between June and September. Kayaking the canals provides the best opportunity to get close to the wildlife and is also good exercise. Boat rides are available to explore the rivers and canals. Fishing can be organized by contacting the local fishing guides. Hiking to the top of Tortuguero Hill has become a popular activity for those looking for exercise and the opportunity to get a bird's-eye view of the national park.For additional information, visit: www.tortuguero-info.com

Socialize with the localsTortuguero is a small coastal fishing village. Visitors to the village at night are the exception rather than the rule and scholars will have the opportunity to meet some of the local people.

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Need Help?

The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!